It is rumoured that if you remain at Piccadilly Circus for one hour, you will be sure to meet someone you know, no matter whether you are Swedish, Spanish or Japanese. I have not tested this during my nine times in London, but it would be interesting to put it to the test. The Circus was formed in 1819 by the architect John Nash. There have been big illuminations at Piccadilly Circus since 1910. Needless to say, the residents thought they were provoking:-) Now it is difficult to imagine the Circus without them. The statue found in front of the illuminations is commonly believed to be Eros, the god of love, but it is an Angel of Christian Charity, and has been there since 1893. See the illuminations (requires QuickTime and might take up to a minute - if you have broadband -until you can see anything at all).